Following a Passion for Sports to Israel

Abril 24, 2013

In Israel, a new five month scholarship program being offered to young aspiring athletes - one of them could be you.

Just a few miles north of Tel Aviv, along Israel's glistening, Mediterranean beaches, lies the Wingate Institute. Wingate, Israel's leading sports institute, is a global leader in professional fitness and health education, and boasts Israel’s only Olympic training ground. Featuring everything from gym instruction to yoga to Krav Maga (Israel-developed martial arts), Wingate is a world-renowned institution that has everything an aspiring athlete is looking for.

The World Betar Movement, another of Israel’s foremost institutes since 1923, has teamed up with Wingate to open a new program for young aspiring athletes around the world. Called 'Betar-Wingate,' this cooperation offers a unique five-month program at the Wingate Institute, in which young adults from around the world will be able to receive worldwide-recognized certification and qualify as a professional physical fitness and health instructors.

Open to young adults aged 20-30 from anywhere in the world (provided they can keep up with the English language instruction) the program takes place under the auspices of Masa Israel, a joint project of the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel, which offers substantial scholarships towards long-term programs In Israel.

“I chose this program because it’s a wonderful opportunity for me to live in Israel and come back with a profession I can work at,” says Ben, one of the program participants. “I’m crazy about fitness, so it’s a great way to both promote my career and have a meaningful experience while doing it.”

Muscle force testing, cardiovascular and posture training, gym training practice, anatomy, nutrition, gym management, and first aid are only a few of the extensive range of courses offered in this five month program. Participants will also be able to choose from a large range of electives, from nautical sports to yoga, ballroom dancing to martial arts, and more.

Additionally, while the program itself offers a Hebrew language training course, participants will also be able to experience 'the real Israel', either by enjoying organized trips in Israel (included in the course), by participating in combined classes with Israeli students, or by taking advantage of the course's phenomenal location in the center of Israel, close to the hubbub and nightlife of the most fashionable and cultured city in Israel, Tel Aviv.

Graduates of the course will become skilled, professional instructors of physical fitness and health. Upon completion, they will be certified with the title of “gym instructor” from Wingate Academic College, a certification that’s recognized worldwide. With it, the graduates will be able to train and work as a trainer anywhere in the world – and Wingate guarantees that they will assist any and all of them with whatever help is needed, if they ever run into bureaucratic difficulties.

Not only are graduates guaranteed assistance anywhere in the world, but, if the five month taste of Israel whets their appetite for more, the municipality of Ra'anana, where course participants will be living, is on board to guarantee course graduates jobs in the city.

“I am very excited about attending and participating in the Betar-Wingate program,” says Jordana, from Memphis, TN. “I am excited to receive an opportunity to not only enhance my knowledge at one of the most prestigious athletic focused schools, but get to do this in Israel. Betar-wingate allows me the opportunity to learn with other participants who share the same ideals as myself, which in itself is an amazing opportunity. I can’t wait for the fall and all that this program will do for myself and others!”

Finally, a complementary diving course will be offered to participants who then sign up a friend for this program.